So Here We Are, in Taichung, Taiwan

People ask us questions about our mission - Where are we now? What are we doing? How are we enjoying it? In answer to some of those Frequently Asked Questions, or FAQs (I just made that acronym up), here are some answers:

Where are we?

We are living in Taichung, Taiwan, which is in the center-west portion of the island. Taiwan is a tropical/semitropical island that sits square on the Tropic of Cancer, about 100 miles off the coast of mainland China. Most of the population is of Chinese ancestry, and speaks various dialects of Chinese. The educated population (and that is most of them) can speak Mandarin, and that's what we speak.

What are we doing?

We are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  35 years ago, as young people, we served missions here in Taiwan, but mostly in the north of the island.  Our current calling is a somewhat different from the young missionaries' responsibilities. We are called as family history support missionaries, serving primarily in the Taichung Family History Center. We are still figuring out what our calling is (we are the first of our kind in this mission), but for the most part we have been helping patrons figure out how to do genealogy. Chinese genealogy is not exactly the same as western genealogy. Many of these folks can trace their ancestors back for many thousands of years.

What is it like to go back?

Well, it's been a blast, indeed! Kyrstne and I served our (separate) missions here 1975-77, and we have tried to keep our Mandarin up over the years, so we can speak the language, to at least some degree. We don't have a car, and don't have bikes, so our scope of what we see is somewhat limited, but we are doing the work and having fun. Taiwan has changed a lot over the last 35 years, and for the better. Getting things done is sometimes hard for us because we don't know the system (getting a smartphone was a difficult experience, I must say), but we are being patient (or trying to), and innovative, and figuring things out.

I recommend that everyone do this, here or wherever you may be sent.  It is a great blessing to serve the Lord and His people.  

We are glad we are here, and grateful that the Lord called us back over here!

Taiping Chapel, where we spend much of our time

What is Taichung Like?

Taichung has a population of 2.6 million people, making it the 3rd largest city in Taiwan. Taiwan itself has a population of 23.2 million, and is 185 miles long by 85 miles wide. That makes Taiwan the 16th most densely populated country in the world. We are in the Taiwan Taichung Mission.  So this is a big city.  We live in a nice area kind of in the suburbs.

What Do You Eat?

As for food, this population is Chinese, so the food is primarily Chinese food. We went to the night market the other night and found at least three different Mongolian BBQ stands, so that made ME happy!